Technique of controlled reperfusion of the transplanted lung in humans

Background, Reperfusion injury remains a significant and sometimes fatal pr oblem in clinical lung transplantation. Controlled reperfusion of the trans planted lung using white cell-filtered, nutrient-enriched blood has been sh own recently to significantly ameliorate reperfusion damage in a porcine mo del. We modified this experimental technique and applied it to human lung t ransplantation. Methods. Approximately 1,500 mL of arterial blood was slowly collected in a cardiotomy reservoir during the lung implant, and mixed to make a 4:1 solu tion of blood modified Buckberg perfusate. This solution was passed through a leukocyte filter and into the transplant pulmonary artery for 10 minutes , at a controlled rate (200 mL/min) and pressure (less than 20 mm Hg), imme diately before removal of the vascular clamp. Results. Five patients underwent lung transplantation (1 bilateral, 4 singl e lung) using this technique. All patients were ventilated on a 40% fractio n of inspired oxygen within a few hours and extubated on or before the firs t postoperative day. Conclusions. Controlled reperfusion of the transplanted lung with white cel l-filtered, nutrient-enriched blood has given excellent functional results in our small initial clinical series.